19 December 2013

Zullo & Holland, BHA 2013 winner Angelo Vallillo + my new hair!

Zullo & Holland - 0115 950 463

Earlier this week I had the absolute pleasure of visiting Zullo & Holland, situated in the heart of Nottingham city center. Actually, a pleasure is an understatement - I adored my visit to Zullo & Holland and you're about to find out why! Be prepared, this post is going to be long. So grab those cuppas (or glasses of mulled wine!) and get ready for a read all about one of, if not the, best experiences I have ever had at a salon, by one of the loveliest teams I have ever met.

Zullo & Holland is a beautiful salon, modern and chic without the intimidating look of other salons I have visited. Style shines through with Zullo & Holland, from the contemporary interior design and displays, to every member of the team - I was a little bit envious of the style of all the girls working that day! With an award-winning team of stylists, Zullo & Holland have the impressive credentials to match their impressive salon. Opting to stand out from the crowd and taking classic, timeless styles, transforming them into a completely unique style and look, Zullo & Holland are inherently passionate about the work they produce and it's clear to see from the dedication and enthusiasm of those who work there.

Christmas decorations at Zullo & Holland

As soon as I arrived at Zullo & Holland I was instantly made to feel welcome, being introduced to the lovely receptionist who explained how my appointment would go, before being introduced to Alice, senior stylist and master colour expert, who would be transforming my boring black locks. I was led upstairs, to the super spacious, modern yet entirely cosy colour and style rooms and we began my consultation.

My hair is a tough-y. It doesn't lighten particularly well and doesn't bode well with bleach (i.e. doesn't take to it at all), so I was giving Alice quite the job! I told Alice that I would like something a little brighter, anything to stray away from the solid black I have opted for, for the past four years with very little change in between. Naturally my hair is black, but in the summer it lightens so every six months or so I whack a basic black box colour on. In hair terms, this means my hair has a constant build up of permanent black colour, which is heavily built up with red pigments. Red is one of the hardest colours to strip from your hair, which is why mine, with it's build up of colour after colour, can be a bit temperamental. Alice decided on two simple steps to achieve my new colour; we pre-lightened my hair for 20 minutes, twice (my awkward hair!), before applying our two chosen colours, hoping my hair would take and leave me with a glorious rich, berry shade - my love for berry tones obviously doesn't stop with makeup!

The colours chosen for my hair!

Whilst applying my colour, the usual chit-chat between client and stylist ensued and Alice and I learned what an incredibly small world it is! We both attended the same high school and lived within the same area, with Alice just the year below me in school. We even knew some of the same people! It was a lovely surprise and I enjoyed reminiscing over 'the good old days'. It's clear to see that Alice is tremendously dedicated to her role as a senior stylist and master colour expert. Her passion for hairdressing shines through, but it's the ease of this passion which runs through her entire personality, which I adore. I rarely trust people with my hair, at most I trust people to cut it - it'll grow back if it goes wrong. But colour? No one has coloured my hair in at least 8 years except myself, and I knew I couldn't be in better hands. A bright, enthusiastic and incredibly talented young woman with an even brighter future ahead of her.

Once my colour was ready to be washed off, I was introduced to the very lovely Jade. An aspiring stylist, I loved chatting to Jade about her previous experience (that girl is dedicated!) and her enthusiasm for not only her future career, but Zullo & Holland as a whole. A true credit to the salon. Treating me to a lovely deep conditioning mask aimed at replacing the protein lost throughout the colour process, my hair felt (and still does) incredibly soft and pampered afterwards, ready for my cut with Angelo.

Angelo Vallillo & examples of his work

My main reason for visiting Zullo & Holland was Angelo Vallillo. Not just your average stylist, Angelo's story is unique. Once a passionate footballer, Angelo suffered an injury which meant the dream of taking his football career further, came to a close. With a 20 year background of hairdressing in Angelo's family, and experience of having helped out in family salons in his younger years, a progression into hairdressing was Angelo's next step. Fast forward 10 years and we have a stylist who is pretty special, winning awards for RedKen Style Genuis (2007), the Wella Professionals Trend Vision Gold Medal Award(2009), Hair Magazine Salon Stylist of the Year(2012) and most recently, the Eastern Hairdresser of the Year award(2013) at the famous, prestigious British Hairdressing Awards. This most recent award is one which even I, as someone who only met Angelo this week, feel ecstatic about - Angelo is the first Nottingham hairdresser to have won the BHA award. An award which alone is an amazing success and achievement; but to be the first in Nottingham? Incredible. (And even more reason for me to be very proud of my home City!) I was pretty lucky to have Angelo himself cut and style my hair, but first I want to introduce you to Angelo's newest venture!

ANGELO VALLILLO ACADEMY

Launching early in 2014, Angelo has created an academy where stylists both new and experienced, can attend courses with Angelo himself. Courses include: Foundation and Finish; refining technical skills, building confidence, teaching new techniques and promoting creativity. Salon Creative; perfecting finishing techniques, improving cutting skills, building confidence to experiment, focusing on current trends and improving client relations. Bespoke; courses tailored to the individuals needs and presented as seminars, shows or events. Beyond Session; unveiling hidden creative depths, improving cutting and finishing skills, exploring the adventurous side of hairdressing and insight into session styling. Photography; inspirational insights into session styling, an understanding of how to work under extreme pressure, awareness on working with top photographs, guidance on cost, planning and preparation, advice on models, makeup and styling as well as assistance with making the most of high-quality images. Last but not least, the final course offered by the Angelo Vallilo Academy is Advanced Creative; a course which focuses on catwalk styling, introduces precision styling, unleashes hidden potential and confidence whilst extending portfolios with new styles.

Personally, as a stylist by trade, I think the courses offered at the Angelo Vallillo Academy are incredible and invaluable. Such a vast variety of courses available which differ from the basic courses you come across, which work to really bring out the potential in everyone. You can find out more about the academy here.

Examples of Angelo Vallillo's work

Having seen examples of Angelo's work, I was super excited to see what he had in mind for me. I didn't want anything too drastic - I have chopped off more inches than I ever thought possible this year (my hair was down to the middle of my back!) and I re-shaved my undercut a few months ago. I wanted something to spruce up the 'style' I already had, making it easier to style and maintain. Angelo suggested some bold texturing, working with the length, shape and style I already had. Throughout my cut I shot question after question (sorry Angelo!) about his career, both before with football and now as a world renowned stylist, his aspirations for the future, where he sees himself in five years. The simplest way to describe Angelo is modest. His achievements are incredible and achievements which in my younger years working in the industry, I once had myself. His talent is on a whole different level to other stylists out there and that shows with his award wins over the years, particularly his recent British Hairdressing Awards win. Yet not once did Angelo appear too big for his boots, not a single air of arrogance about him. Instead, determination to continue his career on this impressive level and higher, dedication to produce the best work he can and an overall incredibly down-to-earth personality. That's extremely rare in such a competitive industry; it was my absolute pleasure to have the opportunity to get to know Angelo better.

My lovely new hair!

I am besotted, absolutely head over heels, with the colour Alice achieved. It's so much more vibrant than I expected and completely 'me'. I love it! My partner is also very impressed with the colour and much prefers it to my previous, basic black. (So much so, he's adamant I make it my permanent colour!) Despite going through two applicants of lightener, and a colour, my hair looks and feels incredibly healthy (thanks Jade!) and I am in total adoration of the cut. My hair has been given oomph and a boost of volume I previously lacked with some creative and precise cutting from Angelo, and it's a style I can do so much more with than before! The styling products used on me were from a brand I have previously never heard of; Sebastian Professional (available at Look Fantastic), a brand I am now eager to learn more about! My whole experience was positive, everyone I met and spoke to a pleasure to be around and I left feeling inspired by the dedication and passion evident throughout the whole team. Would I recommend Zullo & Holland? Wholeheartedly! Would I visit again? Definitely - there's no going back now, Alice and Angelo have me hooked.

Sophia, I am simply the FUSSIEST person when it comes to my hair. I used to work in the industry and have impossibly high standards. Sometimes you get someone who cuts well, but then the colour is off, or vice versa. I am such a haircut snob it's unreal... but I must say your new cut is perfection. I love how he has done it. As for the colour - it's hard to get vibrant reds that don't look dull or chalky, and she did a really good job. It really suits you! Enjoy it! xxx

Thanks for stopping by! If you have any comments or questions, feel free to leave them here. I try to respond to comments as quickly as possible, but if you have an urgent question feel free to tweet me @TattooedTealady!